Within the coronary heart of Mexico, a storm brews because the dying of a infamous cartel chief sends shockwaves by means of the area, leaving vacationers and locals on edge.
Holidaymakers throughout southwest Mexico are being instructed to stay inside their inns (Picture: Getty)
Holidaymakers throughout southwest Mexico are being instructed to stay inside their inns after the dying of a robust drug lord unleashed a surge of violent assaults.
Footage circulating on-line captures terrified passengers dropping to the ground at Guadalajara airport as gunfire rings out close by.
Mexican forces, working alongside US operatives, shot lifeless Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes throughout a raid in Tapalpa. The goal — higher identified by his alias “El Mencho” — managed the Jalisco New Era Cartel (CJNG), one of many nation’s most ruthless felony organisations.
His killing has ignited coordinated revenge assaults throughout Jalisco state.
UK authorities points stay-indoors alert
The Overseas Workplace is warning: “Severe safety incidents have been reported on 22 February throughout the state of Jalisco, together with in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, following a federal law-enforcement operation in opposition to organised crime within the municipality of Tapalpa.
“Authorities in Puerto Vallarta have issued a public advisory to remain indoors. Routes to airports could also be blocked. Incidents are additionally being reported in different components of the nation. You must train excessive warning, comply with native authorities’ recommendation, together with orders to remain indoors and keep away from non‑important journey in affected areas.”
The US Embassy in Mexico Metropolis urged Americans all through the state of Jalisco in addition to another components of the nation to “shelter in place till additional discover”. The safety alert warned of “ongoing safety operations and associated street blockages and felony exercise.”
Flight chaos leaves hundreds trapped
Aviation chaos has paralysed two main airports — Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific coast and Guadalajara, which is able to host matches in the course of the 2026 World Cup, reviews The Unbiased.
Thirty inbound flights from the US, Mexico and Canada have both reversed course mid-air or been compelled to land at various locations. Additional cancellations imply a number of thousand vacationers making an attempt to depart Puerto Vallarta on Sunday now don’t have any method to depart.
Puerto Vallarta airport posted an announcement on X (previously Twitter) saying: “By determination of the airways, in the present day, Sunday, February 22, 2026, all worldwide operations and many of the home flights have been canceled.
“We urge passengers and customers to stay calm and comply with all directions supplied by airport personnel always.”
The assertion added: “The conditions reported in varied components of the state didn’t influence the airport’s inside operations or the protection inside its services.
“The airport is beneath the safety of personnel from the Nationwide Guard (GN) and the Ministry of Nationwide Protection (Sedena), as a part of ongoing coordination efforts with federal authorities.”
Air Canada posted a message to passengers on X, saying: “As a result of an ongoing safety state of affairs in Puerto Vallarta impacting the airport, Air Canada has quickly suspended operations there in the present day. We’re monitoring the state of affairs and in touch with native authorities who’re working to resolve the difficulty.
“Clients are suggested to not try to go to the airport except their flight is proven as working on aircanada.com, and might be instantly notified of adjustments to their itineraries. We’ll share extra info as quickly because it turns into accessible.”
Energy vacuum may gasoline additional violence
Cartel specialists have warned the management vacuum will probably extend the bloodshed reasonably than finish it.
Sandra Pellegrini, who tracks Latin American conflicts for monitoring group Acled, predicts inside warfare as rival factions battle for management.
Sandra Pellegrini mentioned: “The killing of CJNG chief Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes marks a major operational growth for Mexican forces, however the reported instant freeway blockades and arson assaults present how rapidly cartels can mobilise retaliation to reveal continued management.
“Previous circumstances recommend management removals not often cut back violence long run, and as an alternative typically set off instability as factions compete for energy.”
Britain’s journey steering already cautions in opposition to visiting giant swathes of Mexico (Picture: Getty)
The Overseas Workplace broadened its journey advisory late Sunday (Picture: Getty)
Cancun stays unaffected — for now
British vacationers on the Caribbean aspect of Mexico, notably round Cancun, stay outdoors the hazard zone. The Pacific coast violence is unfolding greater than 1,000 miles to the west.
Cancun airport continues regular operations other than suspended Guadalajara connections and a few New York-area flights cancelled due to blizzard circumstances hitting the northeastern United States. Tui providers from Manchester and Birmingham, together with British Airways from Gatwick and Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow, all departed Sunday as deliberate.
The Overseas Workplace broadened its journey advisory late Sunday, nevertheless.
However the Overseas Workplace up to date its recommendation late on Sunday to warn: “Safety incidents have additionally been reported in different components of Mexico. Because the state of affairs develops, wherever you might be in Mexico, you need to keep alert and comply with native safety recommendation.”
Mexico’s entrenched drug battle
Britain’s journey steering already cautions in opposition to visiting giant swathes of Mexico resulting from endemic cartel violence.
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The FCDO already warns in opposition to journey to many components of Mexico due to drug-related violence. The official recommendation says: “Drug-related violence in Mexico has elevated over latest years. Don’t turn out to be concerned with medicine of any variety.
“Some areas of Mexico have a excessive crime charge resulting from combating between rival organised crime gangs. In these areas, there’s a danger of being caught within the crossfire or of being mistaken for a gang member.”
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